[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter VII

Jany. 28, 1761.

I am this day favoured with my good brother's letter of yesterday's date: and a quicker answer, I think, you cannot desire than this, to dispel your anxiety about the services of the churches. When you speak of large congregations, among the rest, you will allow St. German should not be forgot or neglected [which, by the by, was the case the Sunday before last: how or why it so happened I have not yet learnt; I believe i was Mr Christian of Rushen's turn in the nomination].

Altho' Corlet is no Licensed Curate I shall waive all notice about what you say of claim ; and hasten to assure you, you shall not in any of your charges be destitute of proper assistance and am always at each and every of my clergy's services so far as I am able to give it to them. - What if Mr Crelling (13) could be ordained Priest. with your kinsman? - Would his attendance at Douglass and Braddan be accepted; in case I have interest enough to procure him for Easter, etc.? The detail you gave me of the necessities of Douglass-cum-KK Braddan I am no stranger to; and, God willing, all the means that can be used to provide for them, shall not be wanting on my part and endeavour to contrive. So rest your heart at ease! Between. this and the ordination Sunday you shall hear further.

If I am under any mistake in the above proposal, I pray you, set me right.

I thank you for your well-meant favour of the newspapers, though I chanced to have of the same dates from the Governor the evening before, except one. You don't mention their return to you, but my wise woman thinks it will be best to send them

Wishing Mr Black joy of the recovery of lis Renegado, and our joint kind compliments to your excellent consort, I am,

Dear Sir, Faithfully and affectly yours,
M. Sopor & Man.

Oh, my dear and valuable friend, Dr. Hales (14), I am obliged for your's and the Governors (14a) seasonable condolences

N.B. The letter you forwarded to Douglas for him on the 14th October last was answered by him in two pages folio, at the close of which he observed it was a long letter from one in his 84th year, concluding with his wishes for the prolongation of my life as if it was intended for a solemn valedictlory Pray return my compliments to Capte Wolfers and Sommers and let them know that I hope, by the return of my servants to have received the sundries of my commissions, they were charged with from Holland

Qu. Is not Capt. Poort expected soon? If my last packet is not gone, pray let P be altered for R, which may easily be done,

Qu. 2nd Who taught mo to write long postscripts

(13)— John Crellin, afterwards Vicar Of Michael and Vicar-General, was appointed Chaplain of St. Paul's, Ramsey, in that year.

(14)— Dr. Hales was a learned divine and philosopher and an intimate friend of Bishop Hildesley's. (for an account of him, see Memoirs pp. 367-77.

(14a)— Governor Basil Cochrane, appointed in 1751, died in 1761[error he resigned in that year]